Vollmer was injured Sunday during the third quarter of the Patriots' 27-17 win over the Miami Dolphins. Vollmer got his legs rolled up on during a Stevan Ridley run play and stayed down for several minutes before the Patriots' medical staff put his leg in an air cast and carted him off the field. The television audience clearly could hear Vollmer howling in pain as he crumpled face down onto the turf.

Marcus Cannon replaced Vollmer at right tackle and should remain there for the foreseeable future.

Vollmer joins defensive tackle Vince Wilfork and linebacker Jerod Mayo on the list of premium Patriots talent who won't play another snap until 2014. These are setbacks that will be difficult to overcome.